COLLECTORS ADVOCATE

Comic pressing: Quick 101

What is Comic Pressing and what makes a comic a candidate for it?

1.

QUICK OVERVIEW

What is comic pressing? In a nutshell, its a way to get minor dings such as fingernail dents off a cover…smooth out the cover/pages with even pressure…basically, to help remove minor damage done by everyday handling. It doesn’t fix torn pages…missing pages, stained pages or other major defects that if fixed are considered restoration. Pressing is NOT restoration.

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2.

PRESSING TECHNIQUES

Pressing is an art and there is not a set way to press all comics. Depending on the age of the comic, different quality/type of paper is used for the insides, covers, etc…so a process that might work for comics from the 1980’s probably wouldn’t work with the comics of today.

You can’t use the same process/techniques on all comics. Pressing techniques work for some era’s and not for others due to paper type/quality. You have to take EVERYTHING into consideration… glossy covers, thicker stock, different color pages, It varies from Golden, Silver, Copper and Modern Age books.

It’s important to know the background, experience and history of the person you entrust to press your comics.

3.

CHOOSING A PRESSER

Do they have the knowledge or experience of handling different types of surfaces, paper/weight, etc., Are they fans or collectors themselves? What types of resources do they have available to themselves? There are many ways someone can get into pressing.

The right way is for the love of comics and their history. Why would you trust your collection to someone who doesn’t collect comics themselves? I got into pressing to improve my collection. Over the years of getting comics at comic cons, bumping into people, getting things signed…etc etc…comics get damaged. I researched comic pressing and the commercial equipment out there to decide what would work best for my needs. I then just started buying comics in a 5 for $1 bin… no damage was off the table. Its amazing what practice does. Like every talent and skill…the more you practice, the better you get. You familiarize yourself with do’s and don’t…not based on what people say… but from your own trial and error and YOUR comic press equipment (not all machines are created equal).

4.

PASSION BEHIND THE WORK

People asked me how did I know when I was ready to press comics for people? Well, I told them… when I pressed all my comics…my entire collection….and not just $10 or $20 dollar comics….we’re talking key books like Brave & the Bold #54 - 1st Teen Titans and the entire 1st series and all appearances from the ‘60’s - all the way up to new comics I buy at local shops that might be the last copy…but dings or some minor damage. Before I would pass that book up…and end up paying way more for it later. Now, I don’t flinch and just grunt and buy it…and press it..then it’s like brand new.

That’s how I got into pressing. I later began pressing for family and friends…which leads us to present day. Now I’m available to help get your comics back to like new condition as long as they are good candidates for pressing.

...and now the defects!

To Press or not to Press..

Helpful Tips to evaluate your comic to see if it's a good candidate for pressing

First identify the defects ...both good and bad defects. Although NO defect is good...in this case, good defects can be diminished or removed by pressing, and the bad defects cannot.

GOOD DEFECTS:

Dents

Bends

Folds

Light creases

Minor spine stresses

Impacted corners or edges

Slight warping

Ripples (with no stains present)

Spine rolls

Waviness

Stacking bends

Light cover impressions

BAD DEFECTS:

Creases that break color

Missing chips or pieces

Tears

Stains

Detached staples or staple tears

Spine stresses that break color

Fading

Fingerprints or smudges

Dust shadows or sun shadows

Rusted staples or rust stains

Rounded or blunted corners

Pen markings or printer ink

Cover veins

Brown or brittle cover or pages

Knowing which defects are fixable and which are NOT, hopefully gives you realistic expectations on how your book will turn out after pressing.

However, please remember Pressing DOES NOT guarantee your comic will grade higher. Grading is subjective, 9.8 for someone might be a 9.4 for another.

Tiered Pricing Options...

The prices below are everyday prices.

Membership Pricing & Details Coming Soon!

The comic pressing service is available to everyone. If you're on the mailing list, we'll send out coupons from time to time on this service and countless others collaborators offer. We're still ironing out the details, so the tiers/pricing can change. It will be posted as soon as it is finalize. Also, there are some restrictions on comics submitted for pressing. So it's always advisable to contact us first to find out if your books fit the criteria of books we will not press. (this includes anything from restored books, books very brittle, oily stains/residue, inserts or things inside the comics...etc., etc.,.)

You must read the terms of agreement and liability check off that you accept the terms before we will accept the submission.

Modern 1975 - Present (Max $250 Mrkt Value)

per book price:

15

Any book 1975 - Present

Max value of $250 FMV

Service includes Pressing both front and back

Turn around time 3- 4 weeks

Add FastPRS for $6 each book & cuts time in half.

Mid Age 1974 & Older (Max $250 Mrkt Value)

per book price:

20

FastPRS add on Option available for additional fee per book

Any book 1975 - and older

Max value of $250 FMV

Service includes Pressing both front and back

Turn around time 3- 4 weeks

Add FastPRS for $10 each book and cut time in half.

Basic Key - Any Age(Max $400 Mrkt Value)

per book price:

FastPRS add on Option available for additional fee per book

Any book Any Age

Max value of $400 FMV

Service includes Pressing both front and back.

Turn around time 3- 4 weeks

Add FastPRS for $10 each book and cut time in half.

Mid Key - Any Age (Max $1,150 Mrkt Value)

per book price:

FastPRS add on Option available for additional fee per book

Any book Any Age

Max value of $1,150 FMV

Service includes Pressing both front and back

Turn around time 3- 4 weeks

Add Fast Pass for $10 each book and cut time in half.

Prime Key - Any Age(Max $4,000 Mrkt Value)

per book price:

FastPRS add on Option available for additional fee per book

Any book Any Age

Max value of $4,000 FMV

Service includes Pressing both front and back

Turn around time 3- 4 weeks

Add FastPRS for $10 each book & cuts time in half.

Memberships Available

Discounts range from 10-35% off depending on Membership.

Member Tier

​Dealer/Investor

Affiliate Tier

Partner Tier

Don't take my word for it....take a look

Pressing Results/Examples

Before and After:photos and Video clips

As I press comics with different flaws and from different eras, I'll post before and after pictures. At times, I'll take video clips of the comic before I press it, at different angles so that you can more easily see the flaws and will do the same after the pressing is completed.

Before PRESSING:Video of Uncanny X-Men #281

The comic here is in horrible shape as you will see. I bought the comic with a bunch of others in a 10 for $1 box...all where damaged with no collectible value. Click and open in new page to view full screen and see for yourself.

AFTER PRESSING:VIDEO OF UNCANNY X-MEN #281

The end results of this test comic pressing was incredible. After pressing..well see for yourself.